Tokyo, the shady intelligence of private detectives

Yuzuru Masahiro quickly approached, bent down, and softly called, "Miss Mingkong, Miss Mingkong!"

Izayoi Akira's chest remained still, as if she had stopped breathing. He reached out and touched her nose; it was cold.

Yuzuru Masahiro was even more shocked. Was she dead? He reached out and pressed his hand against her chest; it was warm and soft. She was alive.

Suddenly, Izayoi Akira opened her eyes and grabbed his wrist. Her hand was small and soft, but her strength was astonishing.

Before Masahiro Yuzuru could react, a double-edged carving knife was already pressed against his throat.

Izayoi Akira's eyes sharpened. "Mr. Yuzuru, you're deceiving me. You're not a transaction agent at the Nishi-Arai Real Estate Center, because the real transaction agent has already contacted me about renewing my lease."

"Who instructed you to approach me, and what is your purpose?"

It turns out that Izayoi Akira was lying here to lure him into a trap so that she could subdue him.

Although Yuzuru Masahiro was surprised, he was not panicked. He knew that after spending so much time together, Izayoi would find out about this sooner or later.

He never expected her to react so strongly, actually threatening him with a knife.

"I'm just an investigator from a detective agency. The identity of the trader is just a disguise to facilitate investigations."

"I was commissioned by the police to investigate Mrs. Tanaka's death. At the time, we suspected that the murderer was a resident of that building, so we had to investigate every household, not just Ms. Mingkong."

Izayoi's hand holding the knife was steady, without the slightest tremor, leading Masahiro Hanyu to suspect that she had indeed killed someone. But did she truly intend to kill him?

"At the request of the police! Are you connected with the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division?" Izayoi held the carving knife close to his throat, but with a delicate touch, without cutting it.

"I work at a private investigation agency. Anyone who pays me a commission can hire me to investigate, including the police."

Izayoi Akizo is clearly at odds with the police, and she specifically mentioned the Investigation Division instead of the police station, which must have a reason.

To avoid provoking her into any extreme behavior, Masahiro Hanyu did not mention the matter between him and Officer Yamamoto.

Izayoi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but the carving knife didn't leave his throat. "Mrs. Tanaka's death has nothing to do with me."

Masahiro Yuzuru stared at her expression. "Yes, the cause of Mrs. Tanaka's death has been investigated and found to be unrelated to the residents of that building, including Ms. Akira."

"After the investigation, there was no connection between us. It was Miss Mingkong who contacted me after she was injured. How can you say that I was the one who approached you?"

Izayoi Akira's expression was serious. "I was deceived by you. I thought you were a real estate agent and that you were a sincere person."

Yuzuru Masahiro looked innocent. "Ms. Mingkong, you've misunderstood. Please think carefully. I didn't do anything to deliberately approach you back then, did I?"

The carving knife in Izayoi's hand left his throat. "It seems so, but..."

In that instant, Masahiro Yuzuru leaned back sharply, his neck dodging the carving knife, while his wrist twisted and grabbed Izayoi's hand that was holding the knife.

In the instant Izayoi was shocked, Masahiro Hanyu crossed his legs and clamped them around her neck and the arm holding the knife, executing a cross armbar chokehold.

The system-rewarded 7th Dan Black Belt ability requires no training and can be used with ease.

Izayoi was docile and harmless before, but now she has turned ruthless and even threatened him with a knife. Masahiro Hanyu doesn't want to be put in a passive position.

She was particularly resistant when the police were mentioned, perhaps because she had done something illegal. He wanted to subdue her and then find out the truth.

However, he underestimated Izayoi's abilities. In the instant before the strangulation was completed, Izayoi's body suddenly shrank, and like a fish, she broke free and hid in a corner of the room.

"Mr. Yuzuru, with your skills, you can't subdue me."

"I didn't mean to hurt you, I just wanted to know why you impersonated a trader and deceived me."

"Actually, if you explain it clearly, I was thinking of giving you my virginity, since you've seen my body and bothered me for so long."

Masahiro Hanyu sighed. "So, does that mean I have no chance now?"

Izayoi's long, curly eyelashes trembled. "I can't say for sure. In any case, I have to leave now."

She turned around and quickly put on her coat, gripping the carving knife tightly the whole time to prevent a sudden attack from Masahiro Hanyu.

"The shirts I wore have all been washed and are in the closet. There is 10 yen in the drawer as compensation for the inconvenience."

Izayoi picked up a backpack from the corner; it turned out she had already packed it all.

"Goodbye, Mr. Hanyu!"

She carefully avoided Masahiro Hanyu, pushed open the door and left without saying another word.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Yuzuru Masahiro breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't care whether he had gotten Izayoi's first time.

Only by staying away from these inexplicably dangerous people can life continue normally. But he had a premonition that the two of them would meet again.

As night fell, Masahiro Hanyu arrived at the alleyway of Shin-Okubo 5-chome. After confirming that no one was following him, he went to the gate of the small courtyard where Masato Kamishiro lived.

This new Okubo's mother wanted to see him alone, and he chose this time to come here in order to avoid Okita Kyoku's surveillance.

Masahiro Yuzuru rang the doorbell, and soon footsteps could be heard in the yard.

The gate opened, and Masato Shinhee, dressed in an elegant hanbok, stood inside. She didn't ask any questions, but simply stepped aside to let Masahiro Yuzuru enter the courtyard.

The two entered the room and closed the old sliding door. Masato Kamishiro pointed to the futon on the tatami mat and said, "Mr. Yuzuru, please have a seat."

Masahiro Hanyu sat down and looked around. The room had no fancy decorations; it was a minimalist style.

On one side of the wall hangs a yellowed folk scroll, as well as old drawings of the Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, and Four Pillars of Destiny. The corners are curled, clearly indicating that it has been around for some time.

On the other side, against the wall, stood a low wooden cabinet, on which were placed a Goryeo shaman's hand drum, a small bronze bell, a compass, and neatly stacked old paper fortune telling books.

A shrine stands in the corner, offering sake, dried fruit, and talismans.

Opposite Masahiro Hanyu was a low table, behind which sat Masato Kamitsu.

"Mr. Yuzuru, you must have come here because of Lady Nagiharu, right? Is there anything you want to ask? Please speak."

Yuzuru bowed slightly. "I'm not asking you to tell my fate, but rather for the sake of Lady Nagiharu."

Masato Kamishiro was taken aback. "Mr. Yuzuru probably doesn't know me well. You need to make an appointment to have your fortune told, and the time is limited to between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Yuzuru Masahiro nodded. "I know, so I'd like to ask you for a favor in order to investigate the assassination of Lady Nagiharu."

"After all, my repeated visits to you will attract the attention of Mr. Hirano of the East Asia Association."

"The fact that Lady Nagiharu often comes to you for divination is something she kept from Mr. Hirano. I guess it's because of your instructions."

Shinji Masato has long, slender eyebrows and eyes. His gaze sweeps over us lightly, yet it is sharp, as if it can penetrate our hearts.

"Alright, Mr. Yuzuru, your threat worked."